Lawrie Reilly’s widow delighted by street name

The widow of Hibs legend Lawrie Reilly has revealed her delight that her late husband will be honoured with a street named after him.

Iris Reilly, 75, paid tribute to an Evening News-backed campaign after councillors voted to bypass regulations and erect a permanent memorial to the Famous Five ace.

And Mrs Reilly added that she was looking forward to being able to visit Lawrie Reilly Place once the street, being built as part of a new development in the shadow of Easter Road, is finished.

“I’m absolutely delighted, and the fact that it’s near the Hibs stadium is just so good,” she said. “It was a place that mattered so much to him. He only played for the one club, he was Hibs through and through. I’m sure he’ll be delighted as well.

“The Evening News ran a big campaign. It means a lot that so many people though so well of him – but he always had time for everybody. He would chat to all the youngsters at the door, and he was really good at giving his time to people.

“The fact that the council said he had to be dead for ten years was quite ridiculous. I’m truly delighted, and the whole family are, too.”

Supporters were dismayed when a report by council officials recommended Reilly be overlooked for the honour because planning regulations decree individuals must be dead for at least ten years before having a street named after them, in case damaging information surfaces posthumously. Reilly died in July 2013 at the age of 84.

However, last week the planning committee dramatically voted to ignore the regulations and name a street just off Lochend Butterfly Way in the Places for People development Lawrie Reilly Place. Councillors also ordered officials to examine how the regulations could be made more flexible in future.